After making the semi-finals of the world junior championships last year, school boy-faced shuttler RMV Guru Sai Dutt had worried about the dull period while trying to make the seniors jump. The oblivion lasted exactly a year.

On Wednesday, the 19-year-old kicked off his Super Series journey by beating Polish world No 20 Przemyslaw Wacha 21-17 21-17 in the opening round of the Danish Open. Guru’s victory at the end of 34 minutes in which he first soaked Wacha’s attacking onslaught and then countered with his own smashing, gave the freshman his biggest win of his young seniors career.

Saina Nehwal shrugged off a slow start to cross her first-round hurdle against Russian Ella Diehl with a 19-21 21-15 21-16 win in 55 minutes. Seeded fourth at her first Super Series event after the World Championships, Nehwal warmed up for a hectic two months of action (with four Super Series events lined up) and next runs into Danish hope Camilla Sorensen.

Sixth seed Chetan Anand started with a comfortable 21-18 21-16 saunter against Peter Mickelsen. Anand Pawar, Aravind Bhat and Aditi Mutatkar also advanced to the pre-quarters, while the mixed doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and V Diju were stretched 21-15 19-21 21-11 by England’s Jenny Wallwork and Gabrielle White.

Tough journey

The day, though, belonged to the surprise package. Guru came off two long qualifying rounds on Tuesday — a 21-7 21-19 swatting of compatriot Ajay Jayaram and then a 21-14 21-23 21-17 scuffle against Estonian Raul Must — to make his first main draw in his maiden Super Series attempt. “It was a good win and I went in with the confidence of having a solid strategy. Wacha has beaten some of India’s top players and made the semis of a Super Series, but I knew I had a chance if I struck my rhythm,” Guru said.

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